A frustrated O'Driscoll clearly lifted his right leg and brought it down on to the chest of Favaro who was lying on the wrong side of the ruck with the offence resulting in only the second yellow card of his career. The incident marred what many suspect will be O'Driscoll's final appearance in an Ireland shirt with the 34-year-old rumoured to be considering retiring at the end of the season.

The recommended suspension for a low end stamping offence is two weeks, the mid range five weeks and top end nine weeks, up to a maximum of one year. While the offence was serious and arguably warranted a red card, O'Driscoll's lack of previous disciplinary issues will count in his favour.

If handed a lengthy suspension at his hearing on Wednesday morning he faces not being available for Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wasps on April 5 and his province's RaboDirect PRO12 clashes with title rivals Glasgow, Ulster and Munster in the coming weeks.

A statement issued by the Six Nations read: "Brian O'Driscoll, the Ireland centre, has been cited by the independent citing commissioner for an alleged stamping or trampling on an opponent, contrary to Law 10.4 (b), in the RBS 6 Nations match between Italy and Ireland on Saturday 16th March 2013. Details of the Hearing will be announced later."